Christopher Ashley, Warren Leight, Sergio Trujillo Join Creative Team of LEAP OF FAITH; Esparza to Star

The producers of LEAP OF FAITH, the new musical based on the Paramount Pictures film, have just announced new members of the creative team for the production that will have its Broadway debut in the fall of 2012 at a theatre to be announced. With music by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, LEAP OF FAITH will star 4-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza as conman Jonas Nightingale.

Tony-nominated director Christopher Ashley, in his first return to Broadway since directing the Tony-winning Best Musical Memphis, will helm this new production. Tony Award-winner Warren Leight, who currently serves as the executive producer on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and won critical acclaim for his celebrated play Side Man in 1998, returns to the theatre joining Janus Cercone to revise the book for Leap of Faith. Sergio Trujillo, with credits such as Jersey Boys and Memphis, will be the choreographer. The LA production featured direction and choreography by Rob Ashford.

Christopher Ashley said, “I can’t say enough about the power of the story and music, and about the world class creative team. I also look forward to continuing my collaboration with Raúl Esparza, with whom I have worked on two revivals (Rocky Horror on Broadway and Merrily We Roll Along at the Kennedy Center). Directing Raúl as he creates a new role completes the trifecta.”

Janus Cercone said, “Even when we were shooting the movie of ‘Leap of Faith’, it was clear that this material was destined for live theatre. Raúl was born to play the role of Jonas Nightingale, and I’m excited that Warren and Chris are joining the creative team to help fully realize the Broadway production.”

Warren Leight said “I’m thrilled to be working with this creative team. The story of Jonas Nightingale is moving, funny, and at times, miraculous. I can’t wait for audiences to take the leap with us.”

LEAP OF FAITH is based on the motion picture, “Leap of Faith,” Produced by Paramount Pictures Corporation and Written by Janus Cercone.

LEAP OF FAITH will be produced on Broadway by Michael Manheim, James D. Stern, Douglas L. Meyer, Tom Viertel / Marc Routh / Richard Frankel / Steven Baruch, Jujamcyn Theaters, Annette Niemtzow / S. Silva, Daryl Roth/Robert G. Bartner, Debi Coleman, Dancap Productions Inc. and Center Theatre Group in association with Steve Kaplan, Vera Guerin, Independent Presenters Network, Relativity Media, LLC, Richard J. Stern and Pamela Cooper, Diana Buckhantz.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes